How are oxygen and carbon dioxide transported in the blood?

• A. Oxygen is carried only dissolved in plasma; carbon dioxide is carried as bicarbonate and carbaminohemoglobin.
• B. Oxygen is dissolved in plasma or binds to hemoglobin; carbon dioxide is dissolved as CO2, carbaminohemoglobin, or bicarbonate ions.
• C. Oxygen is carried as carbonate; carbon dioxide is carried only as dissolved CO2.
• D. Oxygen is carried as carbaminohemoglobin exclusively; carbon dioxide is carried only as bicarbonate.

Answer: (B)